Diary of Alfred E. Potter March, 1957

01.  Friday: To St. Vincents at 7 A.M.  About 40 people there.  Mary Ann is with Mr. and Mrs. Ray Deal in Milwaukee.  They pick her up at 10 A.M.  Ray is on business, Pat and Mary Ann can do some shopping.  Donald is at the Athearn for breakfast.  He shows movies for the salespeople of Wertch Motors. 

Com.  Don and family – Mary Ann

02.  Saturday: A rather cold morning with plenty of wind.

03.  Sunday: [4 ½ hrs] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer reads the “Lenten Regulations.” Mary Ann has a pre-birthday Dinner at our home.  Don’s family and Joanne Mauritz are with us.  Forgot to mention we had Don – Arlene – Donnie and Debbie are with us at 7³⁰ Mass. 

Com.  Happy Hour of Death

04.  Monday: [8 hrs.] Norm Brown obliges by bringing a package of very fine sausages.  Ma treats with pork roast – potato dumplings etc.  Desert birthday cake and chocolate ice cream MMMH Mother plays cards at Laura Schein’s today; still no prize.  Francis Lamb is at my office getting details to work out our income tax return.  He keeps me busy with questions, information dating back to 1949.  Donald is at Milwaukee this evening.  Went with Hy Eagan and “Fuzz” Getschel.  He is trying to get the “Polaroid Line” for us, direct.

05.  Tuesday: [Sent a telegram to Tollers Drug” today.  Ed Binder birthday, 60 years young.  Mother at the Museum this afternoon S.S.B.M. Auxiliary “Court Whist.”] Francis Lamb is back this morning and keeps busy here all day.  Attended Kiwanis luncheon.  The Kiwanis trophy of good sportsmanship is awarded.  McLeod Manager of the Owl store here is taken up as a member. This is election day, the day we choose 7 men for the council and 2 for school commissioner for the new manager form of city government.  Tonight mother and I attend the K.C. pre lenten party.  Played cards with Jake and Goldie Klemmer 23 hands of sheephead score G. 22  A.E.P. 18  T. 17  J. 14.  Home at 11.15 had our lunch and beer at home.

06.  Wednesday: Mother and me to 6.45 Mass this morning.  Rather warm about 30° with a fair sized coating of fresh snow.  This evening we attend Church services.  Father Schorn speaks on fasting not only in eating and drinking, abstaining from smoking etc., some of these are negative, we should however do penance with our eyes – ears and that sharp tongue.  Ed Binder had a birthday yesterday, he has completed 60 years of life. 

Com.  “Serra”

07.  Thursday: [New Snug] Marge Haverty call this morning about 9.45.  Her mother passed away at the State Hospital Winnebago about 9³⁰.  Dr. Van Ellis had been caring for her.  Had an hours visit with Brothers Benedict Roll, rector and Charles Jesson bookkeeper at Alexian Brothers.  They are having trouble in regard to dispensing medicine to pension patients.  Mary Ann and me spend an hour with Marge Haverty after work tonite.

08.  Friday: To Serra luncheon at the Athearn.  Our speaker today our president John Bermingham.  Spoke on Catholic Action Meeting in Milwaukee.  Very interesting.  Francis Lamb is back to complete questioning me about M.P.D.Co.  To Columbus Club this evening met Tom Peck’s dad and mother.  His dad is with the Prudential Life Insurance he was in the drug business years ago and remembers “Charlie Geisse” calling on him.  After our lobster to Fiss and Bills for rosary for Mrs. Haverty.  K C’s seemed to be conspicuous by their absence.  I only saw about 4 at Rosary.

09.  Saturday: Mrs. Haverty is laid to rest this morning.  We attended the funeral Hi Mass “Father DuCharme” Service is well attended.  Norm and Sybelle Brown are down.  Mama Potter bake a 6 pound loaf of rye bread for the folks, 38 gathered at George’s home 59 Linde Ave. after the commital

10.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass with Holy Name.  Father Schorn.  A good representation of Fathers and Sons at least 200. 

Com.  Intention Holy Father

11.  Monday: Busy with professional and industrial bills.  Visited for a time with Ven Sister Alverna at St. Vincents this evening.  Sister Salvina is feeling better.  Attended Rosary for Mrs. Mary Schoblaski.  Father Schorn led in prayer at Marquardts.

12.  Tuesday: [COX 5] To Kiwanis luncheon, about 75 farmers, corn and wheat growers are our guests.  Some raised as high as 135 bushels corn to the acre.  Met with Walter Patri this afternoon to change my will.  To Perpetual Help Devotion and Sermon tonight.  Father Schorn’s Sermon “Thy Will be done ” Father Milbauer had the Perp. Help Devotion and Benediction.

13.  Wednesday: Here that Bob Conroy had an ulcer hemorrage last night and is at Mercy Hospital.  His dad Lee is in Florida.  Mary Ann and Joann Mauritz see “Battle Hymn” with Rock Hudson at the Raulf and Bill and Rose Mauritz spend the evening with us.

14.  Thursday: Frances Lamb is with me again to clean up the fragments on our income tax return.  John Voss – Earl Clemans and myself to Elo Grange this noon, to have dinner with the Midland Co-op Prod, correct name is Pickett Cooperative.  Herman Brandt gave us a fine introduction –Earl Clemans responded.  To Patri – Nolan office with mother to sign our wills drawn up by Walter Patri.  Walter left for Hot Springs this morning 6.30 so Hibbard Engler took care of us.  This evening to the Grand Theatre.  Civic Music presents “The Men of Song” Dave Williams Tenor –Carl Houzak Tenor Thomas Head – Baritone, Caspar Roos, Bass, Charles Touchette Pianist Arranger.  A very fine program.  Met Leo Gronowski this afternoon.  He is laid up with bursitis.

15.  Friday: This is one blustery day, frequent snow flurries accompanied by a heavy winds.

16.  Saturday: [M 6 M   G 4 M   9 hrs.] St. Vincents Altar Society have their bake sale today.  Mother donates 2 loaves of rye bread.  Esther Mueller buys one of them.

17.  Sunday: [27 Members installed C.O.F. Sacred Heart Hall] To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Milbauer.  Irish party at K.C’s tonight Don – Arlene – Mary Ann – Ginny Abrams –Eddie and Florence Heip intend to be there, if they can get in.  I stopped at the Cemetery this morning, visited a few graves also Eliz. Haverty’s.  To Stations at 2 P.M. then a drive and visit at the Museum.  Philatelic Display and Guggenheim Art Display.  Then a drive to the cottage find things quite in order.  Bob and Myrtle Brand are out to the cottage also.  Just learned that the kids had their dinner at Robbins. 

Com.  Stanislaus Jarosch

18.  Monday: Mother and I to 6.45 Mass Father Milbauer.  Mother takes a fall in church on the way in, but is not hurt.  Weather not good.  This afternoon a snow storm and very slippery driving.  Norm Brown is with us this noon.  He and Sybelle in Milwaukee to take in capping exercises at Marquette Dental School.  Susie is taking a course in Dental.  By tonite the weather is just bad enough that I staid home.  Mother plays cards at Louise Zentners. 

Com.  Matt Mertz

19.  Tuesday: [T] To Kiwanis luncheon. Ben Pitcher, executive vice president of the Chamber of Commerce is our speaker. Other guests Lloyd Buehler - Don Rothenbach - Joe Metz. Don is over to help shovel walks this morning. Had Agnes Spanbauer at the house this afternoon to interview her about working in my office. No commitment at present. Attended Cemetery Board Meet. This evening to Lenten Sermon. Father Schorn speaks on the “Great Love” of our Saviour.

20.  Wednesday: [Card from Paul Wertsch today from Boynton Beach Florida] A beautiful day and the snow is melting fast.  Mrs. Ella Schneider is here for a visit this morning and also to get her “Homeless Child” annual, also one for her sister Rose Novotny.  This afternoon I’m out with St. Joseph Annuals to John Barth – Rose Bloechl – Theresa Seibold.  Had a welcome visitor today, Dr. Harry Meusel now living in Fond du Lac.  Had him over to our house and gave him the Christmas presents I had saved for him.  His wife is a chauffeur.  Doctor tells me his former assistant Ethel Cameron is out of work.  She had been employed by Dr. Strakosch

21.  Thursday: Oscar Knobloch 619 – 11th is at Mercy Hospital suffering from a heart attack.

22.  Friday: Otto Stoegbauer Jr. (Boyly) is named as the new chief of the Fire Department, succeeding Bernard Geffers whose resignation takes effect May 1 – 57.  Otto joined the fire department Sept. 15 – 1933, named lieutenant 1943, captain in 1946 deputy chief 1954.

23.  Saturday: Had a phone call from Agnes Spanbauer this morning saying she will accept a position in my office, to begin April 1 – 57.  Dick Harthun is in my office today, making application to work for Rexall Drug Company.  Oscar Knobloch died at 12.35 A.M. today.  Born Feb. 14 – 1896.  Married Mary Water Oct. 9 – 1920.  Machinist U. S. Motors 39 years.

24.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Hi Mass Father Schorn – Lady Foresters Corporate Communion.  Forty Hours Devotion begins this morning at St. Vincents.  Worked until 3.30 this afternoon, then to “Adoration” for one hour, then to Konrad Funeral Home to pay last respects to Oscar Knobloch, then to Post Office –Stopped at North Store and then home to find Aunt Annie Heip with mother.  Took Mother – Jennie Miller –Annie Heip to “Day of Recollection Service” at St. Peters conducted by Father John Patrick Agnes rector of Jesuit Novitiate. 

Com.  Matt Mertz

25.  Monday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass.  Father Thetrau.  Temperature 27°.  Mass well attended.  Got myself a haircut from Melvin Jansen.  Tells me he has nerve tension.  Have the De Soto given a going over by Andy Mauritz.  She’s heading for the 60000 mile mark. 

Com.  Uncle Joe Weisheipl

26.  Tuesday: To 6⁴⁵ Mass –Father Paul Theatreau has the Mass.  To Kiwanis luncheon.  Wes Schneider – our new district governor makes his official visit to our club. 

Com.  Thanksgiving

27.  Wednesday: Mary Ann gets rid of one of her wisdom teeth.  Don Gerth tried to save it but no luck.  This afternoon Doctor Kleinschmit gives my two teeth a going over.  Wants to know what I used to make my plates hold.  He’d never heard of “Snug.” Thinks its O.K.  Mother and Mary Ann attend shower for Faye Baier at the Eagles Club House.  About 100 people present.  Faye gets many nice and useful presents.

28.  Thursday: Up early this morning with a pain in the chest.  Mother plays cards at the parsonage today.  Rose Stiefvater entertains her and Annie Weisheipl – Johanna Miller.  Had a nice visit over the phone with Ella Meyer Christiansen.  She is one of our staunch customers dating back to the time when the C.R. Meyers lived at 1650 Michigan Street.  She is blind and states it is hard for her to get around, and also has a heart ailment.

29.  

30.  Saturday: Harold Van Groll called me this evening in regard to helping him with the Drive for funds for the New Catholic High School. I learned from him that he has two brothers in the Capuchin Order. Father Andrew who has preached at St. Vincents Forty Hours and Father Pierre.

31.  Sunday: To 7³⁰ Mass Father Milbauer. No sermon, but we have the rules and regulations on Catholic marriage. Don, Arline, and Donnie are with us. Donnie is very well behaved in church. Mary Ann spends the day at Don's. Worked 2 hours this morning and 2 hours this afternoon.  

Com.  Arthur H. Mueller